Today wasn’t quite the beach day that we’d expected – when we woke up this morning it was overcast and drizzly so I guess we won’t be bathing in the sea here in Belgium. I am glad, however, that we took a day to go out and see it earlier in the week because it was definitely different than any other beach town I’ve ever seen before.
So today was instead spent here in Bruges wandering the streets and doing a little shopping. We found the cutest little café in the morning that served their coffee and hot chocolate in the most pleasing way! If we would’ve gone to this place on the first day I can guarantee we would’ve been there everyday! The hot chocolate came on a tray with a cup of steamed milk and a little bowl of chopped up rustic chocolate and another little bowl of various types of rock sugar – all different colours and shapes. The girls were delighted to be able to concoct their own perfect mug of hot chocolate! The coffees were equally pleasing on their own tray with a cookie and little mini pitcher of cream and little bowl of rock sugars. So fun! I can’t believe I didn’t take a picture!! I must’ve been enjoying it too much…
We headed home to relax after so much relaxation (hee!) and I went out to procure our lunch. It took me quite awhile because I was distracted by a belt store and then wandered aimlessly in the grocery store before finally buying one basket of strawberries and a few individual bottles of Belgian beer. Choices! I ended up getting our lunch from “The Happy House” which may cause a few eyebrows to raise but was in fact an Indonesian take-out restaurant. I came home with two orders of mini loempias (like spring rolls), fancy bami goring (noodle dish with meat) and a giant bag of kroepoks (crunchy deep fried cracker type things made with shrimp I think). It was a huge hit all around and we all chomped away happily. We rounded the meal out with the strawberries for some extra vitamins and washed it down with the bottles of grocery store beer. A girl can get used to this!
Then, some shopping! I had been coveting the cutest pair of shoes and I knew that if I didn’t at least try them on I’d be thinking about them for the next 12 years and wishing I’d bought them. So, off we went and I’m happy to report that they fit perfectly and were exactly what I wanted. I even wore them for the next hour walking around and they are awesome. Okay, they may have rubbed a tiny bit but only slightly bothered me after walking for an hour so I think that’s not bad. I also bought a new belt and sweater and could’ve probably spent all day buying things but that would’ve involved winning the lottery and also having larger suitcases. Julia bought a new pair of jeans that are so cute and to be honest I’d kind of like them for myself if they were much, much bigger. Chloe bought a new pair of snazzy black velour lounge pants and Jeff nicely walked along and carried the bag. He even patiently watched the girls pick out new blue rubber ducks (purchased with their own money). The kids are kind of in a rubber duck stage and this town seems to have a lot of them – multiple colours and outfits… strange. In fact, right now they are sitting at the table with a big bowl of water letting their ducks get some exercise and swim around a bit.
We have now finished our dinner and have packed up most of our stuff - it's amazing how much you spread out and begin to live in a place after a week. I'm happy to report that all of our things still fit into our carry-on suitcases, although admittedly it's a bit tight. We have a flat bag that expands into an extra bag if we need it - and after our next stop I'm sure we will.... there is a lot of drop (Dutch licorice) and other treats that we need to bring home for the family so I know that we will need more room for sure!
We ended tonight with a final Belgain waffle - I was too full to go for the whole nutella experience and just stuck with good ol' fashioned powdered sugar. Yum. And now... onwards to Amsterdam!
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